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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

R. LORENZO;

TRIGYULE.

No. 246,682. Patented Sept. 6,1881.

WITNESSES I e INVENTOR Meg RM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

R. LORENZO.

VTRIGYGLE. v

Patented Sept. 6,1881.

; INVENTOR ATTORNEY UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE.

RATTI LORENZO, OF SUMMIT, CALIFORNIA.

TRICYCLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 246,682, dated September 6, 1881.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, RATTI LORENZO, of Summit, in the county of Plumas and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tricycles; and I do form part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in tricycles; and it consists in certain details in construction and combinations of parts, as will be more fully explained and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved machine. Fig. 2 is a side view with one wheel removed. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view; and Fig. 4 is a detached view of one wheel, showing the manner of engaging or disengaging the wheel from the operating mechanism.

The frame of the machine is composed of the beams B, joined together in front, as shown, the end pieces, 0 and G, side pieces, D, and parallel beams E, the latter having sufficient space between for the propelling mechanism to be inserted, the said beams, side pieces, and parallel beams affording bearing for the main shaft F and axle-arms G. The main shaft F is journaled in the parallel beams E, and is provided with enlarged ends having a smooth recess formed therein, into which the inner ends of the axle-arms G are inserted and retained by set-screws.

Instead of having the recesses smooth the arms can be made to screw therein, which will answer the same purpose. The main rotary shaft F is provided with a drive-wheel, H, the latter having ratchet-wheels I rigidly secured on the opposite sides thereof, with which the spring-pressed pawls J and J engage. These pawls are pivotally secured to the levers K and K, the latter being loosely journaled on the main shaft F outside of the ratchet-wheels, and extend down considerably below the said wheels, where they are provided with another set of spring-pressed pawls, L, adapted to act in concert with the pawls J and J and operate the main shaft carrying the axle-arms Gr.

Application filed July 5, 1881. (No model.)

Extending nearly at right angles with the hand-levers K and K and connected thereto by a lap-joint is another set of levers, M and M, having the foot-pieces N at one end and the segmentgear wheels 0 at the opposite ends, the two segment-wheels meshing with a bevel-gear wheel, 1?, journaled at the back of the machine, the said bevel-gear wheel acting as a regulator to keep the levers in proper position, and also to communicate the motion of one lever to the opposite lever.

The axle-arms G have bearing under the side pieces, D, and beams B, and are either screwed in the main shaft or connected thereto by a set-screw or any other suitable device, and are each provided with a ratchet-wheel, Q, rigidly secured thereto, which latter rests just outside the side pieces, D.

On the outer end of the axle-arms G the axle-spindles R are formed, on which the wheels S freely revolve when the pawls forming a part of same are thrown out of engagement with the ratchet-wheels on the axle-arms. These wheels are formed like any ordinary wheel, excepting on the inner surface thereof. An annular flange, T, is formed around the bore of the hub, the said annular flange having an arm or arms, T, extending down parallel to the wheel, and a curved arm or arms, U, running concentric with the periphery of the wheel and secured to the end of the arm or arms T. A double-end pawl, V, is loosely pivoted to each arm T, and is provided with a bent spring on top, the free end of said spring W adapted to fit in notches or recesses X, formed at suitable distances apart throughout the length of the curved arm U, and hold and cause the pawl V to be in engagement or entirely free from engagement with either side thereof, and respectively disengage the wheel from the propelling mechanism or cause the same to be moved either backward or forward without changing the motion of the levers K K, as the pawls L L and J J on the said levers are adapted to be placed on either side of the ratchet-teeth and engage therewith, and

adapted also to be moved out from engagement with the teeth and cut off all connection of the levers with the propelling mechanism, the means for throwing the pawls out of engagement being within easy reach of the operator, so that the power can be cut off while the machine is in motion.

B is an arm connected to and extending upward from the double-end pawl up to near the top of the spring WV, where it is bent inward at right angles to the main arm, the said bent portion being provided with a slit, a, adapted to receive the end of the spring W and hold the pawl in engagement with the ratchet-teeth, and also aiding in holding the spring W in the notches of the curved arm U.

When it is desired to run the machine at a high mte of speed the wheels S and axle-arms G, with their parts, are removed from the shaft F and connected to the shaft the latterbein g secured to the frame in precisely the same manner as the shaft F, and situated between the shaft F and caster-wheels D. This shaft 0 is provided with a small gear-wheel, D, which meshes with the large drive-w heel H on the shaft F and transmits all motions imparted to the shaft 1* to the shaft 0. The casterwheel D is journaled in the frame E, the latter having an arm, F, extending forward for a short distance, the said arm F being provided with a spring, G, at its outer end, on which the adjustable saddle H rests. This saddle is so situated that the operator can rest thereon and be within easy reach of the handles and foot-levers, and guide the m achine by simply moving from side to side.

Instead of having only one arm, T, with the curved arm U, on each wheel, they can each be provided with two or more arms, which will greatly increase the strength of the connection between the axle-arm and wheel, and correspondingly decrease the strain on the one pawl. So also can the machine be operated by two or more men by simply placing the wheel P in front of the end piece, 0, instead of to the rear thereof, changing the position of the segment-gears so that they will mesh therewith, and placing foot-pieces on the ends of the levers M M, now occupied by the segmental gears O. A brake can be attached to the machine, within easy reach of the operator, to stop the forward motion of the machine without disengaging the pawls from the ratchet-wheels.

My improved device can be used for other purposes than those describedsuch, for instance, as heavy churning, sawing wood, 850. Hence I would have it understood that I do not limit myself to the exact construction of parts shown and described, but consider myself at liberty to make such changes as come within the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. The combination, with the frame, of a shaft having a large drive wheel and two ratchet wheels rigidly secured thereto, and provided with recesses at its ends, into which the axle-arms are secured, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with the frame of the machine, of a shaft having alarge drive-wheel and two small ratchet-wheels rigidly secured thereto, and hand and foot levers loosely journaled on opposite sides of the ratchet-wheels, the said hand-levers having spring-pressed pawls adapted to engage the ratchet-teeth, and the said foot-levers havingfoot-pieces at one end and segment-gear at the other end, the latter meshing with a bevel-gear wheel, and axle-arms secured to the end of the main shaft, the above parts operating substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with the frame of the machine, main shaft having the large gearwheel and ratchet-wheels rigidly secured thereon, and the hand and foot levers loosely journaled thereon, of a supplemental shaft journaled to the frame behind the main shaft and meshing therewith by cog-gearing, the ends of the said supplemental shaftadapted to receive the axle-arm, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination, with the axle-arm havin g theratchet-wheel rigidly secured thereto, of the ground-wheel loosely journaled on the said axle-arm, having the straight and curved arms rigidly secured thereto, a double-end pawl pivoted to said straight arm and connected to the curved arm by a spring, the upper end of which is adapted to rest in notches cut in said curved arm, and a holding piece pivoted to said pawl and adapted to engage with the upper end of the said spring, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination, with the frame mounted on two ground-wheels and a caster or steering wheel, the latter being journaled in a frame 'swiveled to the goose-neck of the machine, of

an arm extending inward from said frame and provided with a spring, the latter having a saddle adjustably secured thereto at its free end, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand.

RATTI LORENZO. Witnesses:

I. O. VVooD, JARED BATES. 

